Vaal Dam Level Today
On the Vaal River, Free State. Full supply capacity 2561 million m3. Current as of 2026-04-20.
The dam is at or near full capacity. No water supply concerns are expected at this level.
Vaal Dam Level History
Showing 2 weekly readings from 2025-10-13 to 2026-04-20.
About Vaal Dam
The Vaal Dam is the backbone of water supply for Gauteng, managed by Rand Water. It is fed by the Sterkfontein Dam via the Tugela-Vaal Transfer Scheme and supplies roughly 13 million people across the Gauteng city-region. Although the dam wall sits on the Free State / Mpumalanga boundary, operationally this is Gauteng's water source. Levels here directly drive water restrictions in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Vaal Dam has a full supply capacity of 2561.0 million cubic metres (Mm3) and sits on the Vaal River in Free State. At 102.1% full, the dam currently holds roughly 2614.8 Mm3 of water, equivalent to about 2614750 million litres.
The dam is at or near full capacity. No water supply concerns are expected at this level.
Restriction thresholds to watch: most municipalities begin issuing warning notices when a supply dam drops below 50%, introduce Level 1 restrictions around 40%, and escalate further below 30%. Exact thresholds vary by water authority.
Which Towns and Cities Does Vaal Dam Supply?
Vaal Dam supplies water to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and Emfuleni.
Key supply areas: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng, Emfuleni.
Other Dams on the Vaal River
Vaal Dam is one of 5 dams we track on the Vaal River. Sorted by capacity:
| Dam | Province | Cap (Mm3) | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloemhof Dam | Free State | 1243 | 107.2% |
| Grootdraai Dam | Mpumalanga | 350 | 100.4% |
| Vaal Barrage | Free State | 54 | 98% |
| Vaalharts Weir | Northern Cape | 51 | 91.1% |
Vaal Dam - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vaal Dam running dry?
No, Vaal Dam is not running dry. At 102.1% full, the dam has adequate water reserves.
When was Vaal Dam last full?
Based on available weekly data, Vaal Dam most recently reached 99%+ full around 2026-04-20.
What cities does Vaal Dam supply?
Vaal Dam supplies water to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and Emfuleni. The Vaal Dam is the backbone of water supply for Gauteng, managed by Rand Water. It is fed by the Sterkfontein Dam via the Tugela-Vaal Transfer Scheme and supplies roughly 13 million people across the Gauteng city-region. Although the dam wall sits on the Free State / Mpumalanga boundary, operationally this is Gauteng's water source. Levels here directly drive water restrictions in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
What river is Vaal Dam on?
Vaal Dam is on the Vaal River in Free State. Other dams on the Vaal River include Bloemhof Dam, Grootdraai Dam, Vaal Barrage.
How is the Vaal Dam level trending?
Vaal Dam is currently at 102.1% full. The level is falling, down 0.9% from last week. Compared to this time last year (108.8%), the dam is noticeably lower.
Other Dams in Free State
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